Timbers Broadcaster John Strong awarded MLS' Call of the Year

PORTLAND, Ore. – As part of MLSsoccer.com’s “Best of 2011” series, Portland Timbers broadcaster John Strong was awarded Major League Soccer’s Broadcast Call of the Year, for his play-by-play of midfielder Darlington Nagbe’s stunning goal against Sporting Kansas City on July 2 at JELD-WEN Field, it was announced today.

Strong’s call detailed one of the memorable moments of the Timbers’ inaugural MLS season. Late in the first half against Sporting KC, Nagbe controlled a cleared free kick by juggling the ball twice in the air and then unleashed a volley from outside the penalty area that knifed into the upper left corner of the goal. Click here to watch Nagbe’s goal, which was voted MLS’ 2011 AT&T Goal of the Year.

Nagbe’s goal, with Strong’s call, has been viewed nearly two million times on YouTube.com and following the season was named the Timbers’ 2011 Play of the Year. The night it was scored, the goal began being shown as one of the Top Plays on ESPN’s SportsCenter and won ESPN SportsCenter’s ‘Best of the Best’ poll every day for a full week.

From Lake Oswego, Ore., Strong serves as the play-by-play broadcaster for the Timbers’ television broadcasts alongside analyst Robbie Earle. During the season, Strong was voted by fans No. 4 on the list of the top 10 on-air talents in MLS for MLSsoccer.com’s 2011 North American Soccer Almanac.

In addition to his TV duties, Strong hosts the club’s pre- and post-game radio shows as well as the Timbers’ weekly radio show, “Talk Timbers,” on flagship station Sportsradio 750 AM The Game, where he also serves as an on-air personality.